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Natal Wild Banana
Strelitzia nicolai
SA tree no: 34
English: Natal Wild Banana, Wild Banana, Giant Strelitzia, White Bird of Paradise
Afrikaans: Natalse Wildepiesang, Wit-Transvaalse-strelitzia
Xhosa: iKhamanga
Zulu: isiGude, isiGceba, iNkamanga
Strelitzia nicolai, often called the Wild Banana or Giant Strelitzia, is an impressive, tree-like indigenous perennial from South Africa. Unlike its smaller cousin, the Crane Flower, this magnificent plant can grow incredibly tall, resembling a palm tree with its sturdy, unbranched stem and enormous, paddle-shaped leaves. Its stunning flowers are a striking combination of black and white, emerging from dark, boat-shaped bracts, giving it the look of a huge, elegant crane. It's a fantastic plant for creating a dramatic, tropical feel in any large garden.
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Distinguishing features:
A large, tree-like, evergreen perennial herb, growing from 6–8 metres high, sometimes reaching up to 12 metres.
Forms large clumps with several unbranched, palm-like stems.
Features very large, paddle-shaped, grey-green leaves (1.5–2 m long by 60–80 cm wide) on long petioles (up to 1.5 m long).
Produces striking black and white flowers that resemble a crane's head.
The flowers emerge from a large, dark purplish-black, boat-shaped spathe (up to 50 cm long).
Bears large, woody, oblong, brownish, 3-lobed capsules (fruits) 50–80 mm long.
The seeds are round, black, with a bright orange aril (tuft of hairs) at one end, 10–12 mm in diameter.
Overall appearance:
Strelitzia nicolai is a truly impressive, large, tree-like evergreen perennial herb that forms substantial clumps. Its tall, unbranched, woody stems, topped with enormous, paddle-shaped leaves arranged in a spiral fan, give it a strong resemblance to a palm tree. The dramatic black and white flowers, held on stout stalks, emerge from dark spathes, adding to its bold, tropical appearance.
Height:
Typically grows between 6 and 8 metres high, but can reach an impressive 12 metres in ideal conditions.
Width:
Forms large clumps that can spread several metres wide, creating a significant presence in the landscape.
Leaves:
Very large, paddle-shaped, resembling banana leaves.
Grey-green and leathery in texture.
Oblong-elliptic in shape, measuring between 1.5 and 2 metres long and 60–80 cm wide.
Each leaf has a very long petiole (leaf stalk) that can be up to 1.5 metres long.
The leaves are arranged spirally in a fan-like manner at the top of the stem.
In their natural habitat, the large leaves are often split or tattered by wind, which is a normal characteristic.
Flowers:
Striking and dramatic, predominantly black and white, resembling a crane's head.
Consist of three white sepals (the outer, petal-like structures) and three blue-purple petals (the inner, true petals). Two of the blue-purple petals are fused together to form a nectary.
Emerge sequentially (one after another), usually 3–5 flowers per cluster, from a large, dark purplish-black, boat-shaped spathe (a large, protective bract). This spathe can be up to 50 cm long.
They are pollinated by sunbirds and monkeys.
Flowering season:
Mainly flowers in autumn and winter (from May to October), but can produce flowers sporadically throughout the year, especially in warm climates.
Fruits:
A large, woody, oblong, brownish, 3-lobed capsule.
Measures between 50 mm and 80 mm long.
Splits open from the top when ripe to release the seeds.
Seeds:
Round and black.
Measure about 10–12 mm in diameter.
Have a distinctive, bright orange tuft of hairs (an aril) at one end, which attracts birds and monkeys for dispersal.
Bark:
Smooth and greyish-brown. The stem is marked with old leaf scars forming distinct rings, giving it a characteristic appearance resembling a palm tree trunk.
Stems:
Tall, erect, and generally unbranched. The stem is fibrous and woody, resembling a trunk. Often, several stems grow together to form a large clump.
Wood:
As a large herbaceous plant, it does not produce true wood, but its stems are fibrous and woody in texture.
Roots:
Possesses thick, fleshy, fibrous roots.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained soil. It thrives in rich, moist, but not waterlogged soil. It also tolerates sandy soils.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to semi-shade. It prefers warm conditions. Once established, it is drought tolerant. Young plants are moderately frost tender and need protection, but mature plants can tolerate light frost. It tolerates coastal conditions and wind well.
Edibility:
The fruits are not edible for humans.
Toxicity:
The leaves are reported to be poisonous if ingested in large quantities, which can cause digestive upset.
Uses:
Ornamental Plant: Highly popular worldwide for its dramatic, tropical effect, making it an excellent focal point in large gardens, courtyards, or public spaces.
Erosion Control: Its extensive root system and clumping habit make it useful for erosion control on slopes, especially in coastal areas.
Traditional Materials: The strong, fibrous bark is traditionally used by local communities to make rope for various purposes, including fishing traps and constructing huts.
Animal Fodder: The leaves can be used as animal fodder.
Wrapping Material: Leaves are traditionally used for wrapping food.
Ecology:
Pollination: The flowers are uniquely adapted for pollination by sunbirds and also by monkeys, particularly bushbabies and vervet monkeys. These animals are attracted to the nectar and, in the process, transfer pollen between flowers.
Seed Dispersal: The brightly coloured aril on the seeds attracts birds and monkeys, which consume the seeds and help in their dispersal to new areas.
Herbivory: In its natural habitat, the large leaves are browsed by elephants and other large game animals.
Distribution and habitat:
Strelitzia nicolai is indigenous to South Africa, and its distribution extends northwards.
South African Provinces: It is naturally found along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal (formerly Natal) and the Eastern Cape.
Beyond SA: Its natural range extends north into Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Habitat: It grows naturally in coastal forest, along riverine areas, and within dune forests, often forming dense stands.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Strelitzia was given by Sir Joseph Banks, a renowned botanist, to honour Queen Charlotte (Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz), who was the wife of King George III of the United Kingdom and a keen patron of botany.
The specific epithet nicolai honours Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaievich (1831–1891) of Russia, who was the brother of Tsar Alexander II.
The common English name "Wild Banana" comes from its large leaves and tree-like habit resembling a banana plant, while "Giant Strelitzia" distinguishes it from its smaller cousin, S. reginae. The Afrikaans name "Natalse Wildepiesang" means "Natal Wild Banana".
Historical aspects:
Strelitzia nicolai has been known to science for centuries and has been cultivated globally for its impressive stature and exotic flowers. Its traditional uses by local communities highlight its long-standing ecological and cultural significance in its native range.
Interesting facts:
This "banana" isn't for eating! Even though its huge leaves look like a banana plant, Strelitzia nicolai produces a very different kind of flower and fruit.
Unlike its famous orange cousin (S. reginae), this giant strelitzia has stunning black and white flowers – imagine a massive, elegant crane!
Not only do sunbirds love its flowers, but even monkeys, like bushbabies and vervet monkeys, are key pollinators and seed dispersers for this plant! How cool is that?
Its strong, fibrous bark is traditionally used by local people to make actual rope for things like fishing traps and even building huts!
Growing tips:
Propagation: This plant is easily grown from fresh seed or by division of established clumps.
Seeds: Sow fresh seeds in spring or summer. Soaking the seeds in warm water overnight or removing the aril (the orange tuft of hairs) can help improve germination, which can be slow, typically taking 6–12 weeks, but sometimes longer.
Division: Established clumps can be divided in spring.
Watering: Water well, especially during summer.
Fertilising: Fertilise regularly.
Frost: Protect young plants from severe frost. Mature plants can tolerate light frost.
Maintenance: This plant tolerates some neglect.
Pests and Diseases: Strelitzia nicolai is generally problem-free. However, mealy bugs and scale insects sometimes occur. Root rot can be an issue if planted in poorly drained soil.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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